WAITING FOR RESULTS ON BARREL TEST
May 31, 2007

Last week, just as site clearing was getting underway for the new Stephens County Jail, construction crews ran up on some 25 barrels that apparently had been buried for about 30 years.

Stephens County officials immediately called the Environmental Protection Agency in Atlanta and had someone come to the site to inspect the barrels. Initial indications were that the barrels contained some kind of paint or paint lacquer.

County Administrator Darrell Hampton said that the county hopes to have the test results back in a day or so.

"We’re waiting on the results from the samples that were taken late last week and we anticipate to have them either tomorrow or the first of next week," Hampton reported. "Once we have the results of that test, we will start the clean up. The results will let us know whether we can take the barrels to a sanitary landfill or have to go to some more special facility. The contractor has advised us that we can start this process pretty quickly. We’re working under the first phase of the project and it should not have an impact on the site preparation for the new jail."

Apparently there will be very little economic impact on this first phase of the new jail constriction.

HART COUNTY ANNOUNCES SUPERINTENDENT FINALISTS
May 31, 2007

The Hart County Board of Education has announced the three finalists for the position of Hart County School Superintendent.

The three are Jose Boza, an executive director of instruction with the Clarke County School System in Athens, Craig Dowling, the assistant School Superintendent in Rockdale County, and David Hicks, a middle school principal with the Carrollton City School System.

Thirty four applicants applied for the job currently held by Nancy Clark, who announced her retirement back in January. The system has 14 days to name the new school superintendent.

One of the jobs the new superintendent will have to accomplish will be to name a new finance director to replace the late Lonnie Burns. Another position to be filled will be that of Glorianne Patterson, the assistant superintendent for instruction. Ms. Patterson has also announced her retirement.

HAY SHORTAGE
May 31, 2007

Every time we get a call on the Swap Shop for someone who wants to hay, we get several calls very quickly in response. With the drought now starting to affect almost everything, farmers are scrambling to find hay to feed their animals.

Stephen County Extention Agent Forrest Connelly said that if you’re looking for hay, the prices are high and if you’re growing hay, it cannot stay in the field too long. Connelly said that right now it’s a buyers market.

"The biggest problem we have without the rain and the deficit we have right now is that the grass is not growing and the hay is definitely going to be short," Connelly indicated. "When you have less hay to cut, you get less hay per acre and the cost per bale goes up. Most of the farmers will be keeping their hay so they will be able to feed their own animals. Those that are growing hay will in all likelihood, and I hate to say this, but they will have to charge more per bale to cover their costs when you have less yield."

Connelly said that even if you have hay now in the field, if we don’t get rain real soon, the nutritional value of the hay will drop significantly.

"The thing with that is you want to leave your hay in the field a long a you can during this period because you want to get some volume and some tonnage with your hay. The other side of that is the fact that the nutritional value of your hay goes down the longer you leave it in the field."

For more information, you may call the Stephens County Extention Office at 706-886-4046.

VOLUNTEER TUTORS NEEDED
May 31, 2007

The Toccoa Stephens County Literacy Council is in need of volunteer tutors. There are hundreds of people in out county who either cannot read or who have difficulty reading.

Karen Ledford is the Tutor Coordinator for the Literacy Center and she said that there is currently a shortage of tutors for the 18 adults she has lined up for the course.

"Right now, we’re facing a shortage of tutors," Mrs. Ledford said. "We have only 12 tutors and I’m going to be losing another tutor who is graduating from college and moving away, and she was tutoring two students. So I’m just short of tutors right now for services."

She said that your time and talent could change the course of someone’s life. Training will take place at the center. If you would like some information or like to volunteer to be a tutor, just give her a call at the Literacy Center.

"You can just call me at 282-5171 and we will get you started, it’s just that simple. And you don’t have to worry about it being a lawn drawn out process. All we will need is about one hour a week of your time."

The Literacy Center has moved into its new headquarters which is in the old Boys and Girl’s Club’s building at 410 South Broad Street. The new center has new computers and new computer software for both children and adults.

POLICE BLOTTER
May 31, 2007

Toccoa police have been investigating a couple of burglaries.

A resident of DeFoor Road was lucky enough to scare off a would-be burglar after he was discovered in the house. The woman’s son woke her up indicating that someone had broken into the house. Before the intruder exited, she reported seeing a black male exit the residence through the back door. Nothing appeared to have been taken.

A 250 gallon propane gas tank was reported taken from a residence on Holcomb Rd in Martin. The resident had no idea how the tank was taken of the property.

A residence on Brookhaven Circle told deputies that one or two people had entered his mother’s house by cutting a screen and pushing the window open on the back porch. A list should be forthcoming of any items that have been determined missing.

Another residence of Wolf Pit Road reported that a wooden swing valued at about $500 was taken from the yard.

A house on Whispering Woods Road was hit by rocks and eggs about midnight one night recently. The residents heard some juveniles in the yard, who apparently also damaged the mailbox.

A resident of Northside Drive told police that someone had taken about 100 red bricks off the property. The resident told officers that she had no idea who would have taken the bricks.

A residence at the corner of Franklin Street and Rumsey Avenue sustained a burglary. Some $260 in electronic equipment and $251 in other valuable items were reported taken.

Another burglary occurred at a residence on Shady Lane. The victim said that someone had come in the side window of the house and took his girl friend’s lap top computer. The lap top compute was valued at about $1500.

Traffic stops have resulted in Toccoa police making several arrests. Two officers on a routine safety check on Prather Bridge Road and Mulky Road were approached by a green truck, which according to the officers, smelled like marijuana. The driver was identified as John Singleton of Ward Creek Road, Singleton allegedly told the officers that he had been smoking a joint. A subsequent search of the truck revealed a green leafy substance found between the driver’s seat and the passenger seat. The suspected marijuana was taken into custody and Singletary was arrested and charged with possession of less than one ounce of marijuana.

A traffic stop was made on Pine Street resulted in the arrest of William Fitzgerald Oglesby of the Relax Inn. He was charged with possession of cocaine and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

A speeding vehicle was stopped on Morgan Street resulted in the arrest of the driver and a passenger. Those arrested were identified as Christopher Michael Chambers of Parkway Drive and Trevor Scott McDougal of Old Mize Rd. Both were charged with possession of marijuana.

COUNTY COMMISSIONERS DISCUSS SPLOST V REFERENDUM
May 30, 2007

Members of the Stephens County Commissioners and the Toccoa City commissioners met Tuesday morning in a joint session to discuss items to be placed on the upcoming SPLOST V referendum, scheduled to be held Tuesday September 18^th. SPLOST is a special purpose local option sales tax, which is used for capital projects financed outside the general fund.

County Administrator Darrell Hampton said that this SPLOST would be a little different from those in the past as the money would be collected over a six year period instead of five year, due to new legislation passed this year by the Georgia General Assembly.

County Finance Director Phyllis Ayers predicts the tax would collect $21,6000,000 over the six year period, but admitted she had presented a conservative estimate that doesn’t allow for the full impact of the sales tax for the new Wal-Mart and the projected sales tax for the new Home Depot, scheduled to be opening in the county.

Toccoa City Manager Billy Morse said he felt the numbers were ultra conservative and felt that tax would bring in about 24 million dollars.

"We’re looking forward to the next SPLOST period and we have several projects that we’re looking at and we want to know the best way to go about it," Morse said.

Both the city and the county each presented projects focused on economic development and included infrastructure improvements to the sewage systems, Haystone Brady Industrial Park and roads. More outlined the city requests.

"We looking at some sewer projects in the city and some other projects we think would prosper under the next SPLOST," Morse indicated.

The county’s list included two new fire stations and newer facilities for the Stephens County Development Authority. The city’s wish list included improvements to at least two parks including Henderson Falls Park.

Before the meeting adjourned, the county commissioners appointed County Administrator Darrell Hampton and the county attorney to be a part of a joint committee with the City of Toccoa to make recommendations to both governments. Billy Morse and the City Attorney will be serving on a panel along with any others that they may determine would be contributing.

Development Authority Director Mitch Griggs will be meeting with the panel in the very near future and report their findings to the next joint meeting, scheduled to be held in June.

STATE PATROL POST TO REMAIN IN TOCCOA?
May 30, 2007

During Tuesday’ SPLOST V meeting, City Commissioner Andy Pavliscsak introduced two Georgia State troopers, based at Post 7 here in Toccoa. The troopers admitted that despite an announcement several years ago that the post was leaving Stephens County to go to Habersham County.

Leaders in that county seem reluctant to fund the new post and they doubt that the move will even take place. Pavliscsak has asked that improvements to the current post or even the construction of a new State Patrol post be included in the next SPLOST V vote.

Commissioner Rex Anderson said that when the announcement was first made, he was serving on the county commissioners and the board talked with the state and had agreed to make improvements to the current post.

Three days later, the patrol announced they were leaving. Anderson said he felt that more consideration should be given to renovating the post and he thought it was a good idea. But he felt the people got a raw deal the last time and might not be of a mind to support the idea.

PUSH FOR AUDITORIUM AT NEW HIGH SCHOOL
May 30, 2007

Art Sutton and Terry Carter are both of WNEG’s parent company, Georgia Carolina Radiocasting. Sutton and Carter requested of the commission to consider the construction of a fine arts center at the new Stephens County High School.

Sutton pointed out that voters in Stephens county have approved the measure to construct a new high school and while the school board dies plan to include funds to construct a new high school, he asked that the school board, the city and the county work together to expand those plans to create a 1500 seat auditorium which would also include room for an art gallery used by the Currahee Arts Guild for their shows and could also be used by the high school for drama classes.

The facility would be build adjacent to the main building, much like the new constructed facility at Franklin County High School. Carter said he had met recently with School Superintendent Gary Steppe and some of the board of education members individually and they seemed open to the idea.

A similar facility has just recently been completed in Newnan, Georgia and county officials could contact Newnan officials for more details.

Sutton asked that the commissioners at least consider the concept so that it could be investigated at length for consideration. He said that the facility would be a great economic development tool for the county and with both the county and the school board financing the project; it would not be a burden to either entity.

The high school population is now at approximately 1200 and it was pointed out that the auditorium could hold the entire student body.

NEAR DROWNING RESULTS IN YOUTH'S DEATH
May 30, 2007

11 year old Greenville, South Carolina girl, who nearly drowned on Memorial Day, died yesterday at Greenville memorial Hospital. 11-year-old Crissa Powell died at 5:20 p.m. Tuesday afternoon according to Oconee County Coroner Karl Addis.

Addis said that the preliminary cause of death was complications from the near drowning incident which occurred Monday at Martin creek, on Lake Hartwell in Oconee County, South Carolina. An autopsy will be conducted.

ACCIDENT ON HIGHWAY 184
May 30, 2007

The Toccoa post of the state patrol reported a one vehicle accident Tuesday morning on Georgia Highway 184 just over the Banks County line. The driver of the vehicle, identified as Roger Payne of Toccoa, had to be extricated from the vehicle by the Tate’s Creek VFD crews and the Franklin County EMS.

A life flight helicopter was on the scene, but Payne was transported to the Athens Regional Hospital by the Franklin County EMS.

No other injuries were reported in the accident.

HAYES COLLECTS LETTERS FOR OUR TROOPS
May 29, 2007

Toccoa and Stephens County residents have responded to the call to write letters to servicemen overseas. The campaign was announced by Hayes Buick Pontiac GMC several weeks ago.

Stan Roberts told WNEG News that the dealership has received about 1500 letters to be forwarded to our troops.

"The turn out has been fabulous. We’ve had so many people to bring letters in and just make an extra special effort. We had a whole family that came in this morning and sat down and all of ‘em wrote letters to the parents and the kids all together. Really, it’s exceeded our expectations. You know, we’re gonna be definitely between 1,500 and 2,000 letters for the troops. It just warms my heart. As we were stuffing the letters from the school kids the other day, one letter really touched me about how that she had knew that he couldn’t be here for this Mother’s Day and wished be could. There’s a lot of feeling going into these letters."

The local National Guard had some military vehicles on display this week-end and Roberts said that a lot of people came out to see them and talk to the personnel.

"It’s really been very good that the local Nation Guard came out, and of course I think it was very well received. There were a lot of people who came over and looked at the vehicles that they had out. And I really appreciate them coming over and giving us this opportunity to thank them."

The letters are a part of a California teenager’s quest to send a million letters to the Armed Forces around the world.

NEW HOSPITAL WEBSITE
May 29,2007

Many people would like to know more information about Stephens County Hospital before they go for treatment or have an illness.

Hospital Administrator Ed Gambrell says that the hospital has a website which contains lots of information.

"I encourage people who have access to the internet to look us up on the internet. Again, it’s stephenscountyhospital.com. We have all kinds of stuff. We have news on there about the hospital. We have information including pictures of the different services we offer, the different buildings – information on the medical staff and how a potential patient can contact a physician at his or her office. So it’s just a large variety of information on there."

Again, the website is stephenscountyhospital.com.

MEMORIAL DAY CEREMONY
May 29, 2007

Tributes to the fallen military heroes were made Monday at the annual "Memorial Day" Ceremony held at the VFW Post 4346 on Savannah Street in Toccoa.

Veteran organizations throughout the county presented wreaths in memory of those who sacrificed their all for the freedoms we enjoy today.

Former National VFW Commander R.D. "Bulldog" Smith was the special guest speaker. Smith said that it is our responsibility to remember these brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice.

"As we stand together today on this 141^st anniversary of Memorial Day, we are reminded that the cost for freedom comes with a high price in human terms. And as we, as a nation, mourn the lives lost, we celebrate the lives lived and are forever grateful, above all, in an attempt to pay back our debt as American citizens. We must also not only remember the fallen, but it is our responsibility to teach our youth that nothing comes without cost and that sacrifices are meaningless without remembrance."

There were many in the audience who had lost loved ones or who knew of families who had lost loved ones. In particular, the family of PVC Ryen King, the young Franklin County soldier who was killed recently in Iraq, was mentioned. Smith said that as the local citizenry went about their holiday celebrations, to remember those families in their prayers.

"To each of you we honor today, we thank you, we love you, and today we celebrate your life. Today, as you go about your celebrations with your families and friends, I ask that you also give thought to the families and friends who have lost their loved ones in the line of duty. We must encourage the preservation of their spirit, dreams, and sacrifices. Though we cannot fully comprehend the weight of sorrow that these friends and families carry, we can and must carry the memory always, and teach those who remain here when the time comes for us to join our fallen soldiers."

"Taps" was played at the end of the somber ceremony.

TUTORS NEEDED
May 29, 2007

The Toccoa Stephens County Literacy Center needs some volunteer tutors.

There are thousands of adults, young and old in our area, who have trouble reading or can’t read at all. This year, give the gift of literacy, become a volunteer tutor. Your time and talent can change a life.

The Literacy Center is accredited by Pro Literacy of America and will train you to tutor an adult in basic literacy.

Call the Toccoa Stephens County Literacy Center today and become a volunteer.

The number to call is 706-282-5171. Karen Ledford is the Tutor Coordinator.

TRACTOR SHOW IN MARTIN
May 28, 2007

Engines and tractors from past generations were on display Saturday afternoon in Martin at the first Martin Tractor Show. The event was held in the lot across the road from Martin Baptist Church.

Tractors from the 40s and 50s were entered in contests and were driven by their owners.

One of the organizers of the event was Max Freeman who said some of the older men in the community wanted to bring back some memories.

"A couple of us old farm boys were talking about trying to do something that would be some old memories and we got to talking about it in church," Freeman said. "We didn’t really know just how we were going to do this or what we were going to do. Then we came upon a neighbor of mine who’s the vice president of the Georgia Farmall organization and he’s big into this. We hope to make this an annual event."

Events included a barrel roll, blind driver and the back-up contest.

A tractor parade was also held on Saturday. The parade was led by Tommy Williams, a former Mayor of Martin, who was driving a 1970s fire truck which the city recently gave him since it was no longer useful in fighting fires.

Williams said he was very pleased with the vehicle.

The event was sponsored by the Martin Baptist Church Brotherhood.

CELL PHONES FOR NICARAGUA
May 28, 2007

Martin Mayor Don Foster has been traveling to Nicaragua on missionary trips for several years. He makes several trips every year to help build homes, feed the hungry and help make life a bit more bearable for the extremely poor citizens of that country.

Foster said that the next trip is coming up next week and he would like the community to help his group by donating some items.

"We need some help from the community in obtaining old cell phones that you are not using right now," Foster said. "Down there, we trade them in to a vendor for beans and rice which we feed the people with, it certainly would help. The cell phones that are not in use here can also be used in that country and that works very well down there."

Also, Foster would like donations of flip flops for the people in the area. They are very poor, the weather is hot and the missionary groups try to help them with this footwear.

Conditions are extremely poor in Nicaragua, especially at a site literally called "the Dump" where Foster says a community of poor people lives.

"The dump is a place where about 5000 people actually live. I know that’s kind of hard to imagine, but the folks in Northeast Georgia that have gone with us can verify that. I’ve seen the trash truck come to the dump and people, dogs, buzzards and animals all rush in. It’s a pretty heart wrenching experience.

We’ve been going down there for quite some time and we try to also feed the people down there."

Again, you can take your used cell phone or flip flop donations to Toccoa Insurance Agency this week or call 886-2105 for more information.

TROUP INJURED
May 28, 2007

Toccoa Mayor Bob Troup is resting comfortably at home following a nasty accident last Thursday afternoon in which he fell off of a ladder.

Family member Harry Joiner told WNEG News that Bob was cleaning some windows on the backside of his house when he fell off of the ladder, literally landing on his face, breaking many bones in the facial area.

Troup was taken to the Northeast Georgia Medical Center where he was treated for a couple of days and then released.

Joiner said that Bob will have to go back to the Northeast Georgia Medical center for plastic surgery, but doctors say that will have to wait until the swelling goes down.

Meanwhile Bob tells his family that he is not in a lot of pain, only some discomfort.

Troup will celebrate his 75^th birthday in a couple of weeks.

Hundreds of seniors turned out Thursday for WNEG’s annual Senior Expo at the Stephens County Recreation Center on Rose Lane.

As they do every year, the senior man and woman of the year are announced.

This year’s senior woman of the year is Dale Mosely.

Dale is a former learning and disabilities director and special education teacher at the high school.

She retired from education in 2000, but has remained active in the community ever since.

Dale currently serves as chairman of the Stephens county courthouse restoration authority, is a member and past president of the Toccoa pilot club, and is an active member of First Baptist Church of Toccoa.

After receiving her award, Moseley recalled the first time she volunteered for anything.

"I was in Cornelia earlier today listening to Connie on the radio talking with Wallace Whiten and I started reminiscing about the days when I was in high school. We would go up to WNEG and we would cheer on the radio. That was a fun time. I guess that was the beginning of my volunteering for things," remembered Dale Moseley.

This year’s senior man of the year is Bob Defenbaugh.

Among his many accomplishments since moving to Toccoa, Defenbaugh helped re-organize the Stephens County Development Authority and currently serves as its chairman.

Bob also oversees and manages the Development Authority’s many committees and plays an active role in industry recruitment.

Bob is also credited with helping to bridge the gap between city and county governments.

For fun, Bob is an active member of the Rotary Club.

He created and taught a parenting class at the Boys and Girls Club, which was sponsored by the Rotary.

He is a member of the Stephens County Literacy Council, and a member of the Chamber of Commerce Executive Committee.

Bob and his family are members of St. Mary’s Catholic Church.

WNEG congratulates Dale Moseley and Bob Defenbaugh for their hard work in helping to make our community a better place to live.

The first official holiday of the summer season kicks off tonight, but motorists are already on Georgia roadways hoping to get an early start to their long weekend.

The memorial weekend begins tonight at 6 p.m. and ends Monday at midnight.

And along with the extra holiday travelers on the roads this weekend, are extra state and local patrols.

Georgia’s "operation click it or ticket" campaign began Monday and runs through Sunday, June 3^rd.

That means extra troopers will be out in force to make sure drivers and their passengers are buckled up and obeying the speed limit.

Rolling checkpoints will also be used here in Stephens County and around Georgia to check for proper licenses, registration, and DUI.

In Lavonia, police chief Randy Shirley is asking for the public’s help in becoming highway safety advocates.

"The Lavonia Police Department needs highway safety advocates," explained Police Chief Randy Shirley. "We need supporters in our schools, churches, businesses, to urge students, employees, friends and family members to buckle up. This is Memorial Day Weekend and we encourage everybody to please buckle up," he said.

And while the emphasis this weekend is on the long distance motorist, Chief Shirley says most traffic accidents happen close to home.

"Contrary to popular belief, traffic crashes can and do occur just minutes from home and we have had that happen here," he said.

The Georgia State Patrol is predicting 2,235 traffic crashes on Georgia roads this weekend, 989 injuries, and 18 traffic fatalities.

Last year, 17 people died on state roads during the Memorial Holiday weekend, including eight deaths that were alcohol-related.

Nine of the 17 victims were not wearing seat belts or other safety equipment.

An autopsy is underway to determine the exact cause of death for a 17-year old boy who died on Lake Hartwell in Oconee County Wednesday.

The victim is identified as 17-year old Dillon Rowlands of Seneca.

Rowlands, who can’t swim, was at the lake with his friends when he decided to jump of the Coneross Creek Bridge into the lake some 30-feet below.

Oconee County Emergency Management Agency Director Rodney Burdette says his friends tried unsuccessfully to save the teen.

"The kids who with him tried to assist him to the bank, but were not able to help him. So they tried to get him to one of the bridge poles, but he wasn’t able to hang on. We had dive teams and a special rescue teams there and set up. We also got our pontoon and dive boat there and had people in the water within an hour," noted Oconee county EMA director Rodney Burdette.

Rescuers and a dive team arrived about 20 minutes after the first call came in, but were hampered by the murky water.

"When you have murky water, and you get down towards the bottom, some 20-80 feet at the deepest part under the bridge, it just took awhile to locate the victim because of low visibility," he said.

Rowland’s body was eventually found under the bridge near Townville.

Despite the autopsy yesterday, Oconee county coroner Karl Addis says the likely cause of death was drowning.

Authorities in Franklin County have arrested an employee in connection with a burglary at the Burger King on highway 17.

It happened in late January when one of two night deposit bags never made it to Pinnacle Bank.

Lavonia investigators have been waiting for months for the GBI to conduct polygraph tests on the employees.

Police chief Randy Shirley said that finally happened this week.

"We were able to a second polygraph on the suspect who is an employee at the Burger King in Lavonia. He is 32-year old Timothy Chad Brown of Carnesville. The first one could not be performed and we were not able to schedule another one until this past Tuesday," explained Lavonia Police Chief Randy Shirley.

GBI investigators interviewed all of the employees, but when they got to the night shift supervisor, he confessed.

"The polygraph examination revealed deception. The polygrapher is a GBI agent. He subsequently interviewed Mr. Brown who confessed. He admitted to taking one of the two night deposit bags and only deposited one bag at Pinnacle Bank in Lavonia," Shirley said.

Brown, who is the son-in-law of the store manager, told the GBI he used the $1,600 to pay bills.

Brown was charged with felony theft by taking and was released on bond from the Franklin County jail.

The unemployment rate in the Georgia mountains area remained unchanged in April at 3.5 percent. 

Meanwhile, the state’s unemployment rate increased to 4.1 percent last month, up one-tenth of one percent from 4.0 percent in March.

Here in Stephens County, the unemployment rate dropped slightly to 4.7 percent from 4.8 percent in March.

Stephens County’s labor force was 13,700.

Of those 13,053 were employed, while 647 were without jobs.

From March to April of 2007, Georgia added 28,300 payroll jobs, primarily in trade and the service-related industries.    

All four lanes of US 441 from the Commerce Bypass to State Route 335 in Nicholson will open today.

This morning, crews will finish the temporary striping and all four lanes should be open by mid-afternoon.

The opening of this section of US 441 provides a four-lane route from the State Route 10 loop in Athens through Jackson, Banks and Habersham counties to the Tallulah Gorge in Rabun County.

The widening project underway on US 441 from the Tallulah Gorge to Clayton that is scheduled to be completed by October 27, 2007, will extend the four lane route from Athens to Clayton.

Teri Pope with the DOT in Gainesville tells WNEG there is still some work left to finish, including installing the permanent signs as well as the permanent striping that has to go down.

There will be weekday lane closures for about the next month to month and a half while the DOT finishes that work.

Pope asks anyone traveling on that stretch of US 441 please slow down through the area while construction finishes.

TOXIC WASTE FOUND BURIED ON NEW JAIL SITE
May 24, 2007

COUNTY SAYS "NO" TO PRISON INMATES
May 24, 2007

Local and state authorities are asking for the public’s help in identifying a woman whose remains were found in a Carnesville creek last week. Yesterday, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the GBI released a list of items found with the remains in a creek off State Route 320 on Akin Road.

They include a pair of women’s Reebok’s classic high-tops, a Chesley sweater, size 10 capri pants, and white socks with gray toes and a green stripe. Also found was a breast implant.

People clearing out beaver dams in the creek found the remains May 6th. A three-day search of the area in which the creek was drained did not turn up any more remains, and authorities hope to come back in the winter to search again.

Last week, GBI forensic anthropologist Dr. Rick Snow said they had not recovered enough of the skeletal remains to make a positive identification. Authorities are now hoping the list of items found with the remains will help in finding out who the woman was.

Dr. Snow estimates the body had been in the creek for up to three years. Yesterday, the GBI announced they are expanding their search nationwide. However, a report from Georgia news network indicates Lilburn authorities think the remains could be that of a missing mother of two who disappeared in 2005.

Some hopeful news for the Stephens County Development Authority after learning their fiscal 2008 budget was cut almost in half.

The county slashed the authority’s budget from $550,000 this year to just $300,000 next year.

The authority had asked for over $750,000 for fiscal 2008 – a level they say is necessary to keep the county moving forward economically, according to Authority Director Mitch Griggs.

County finance director Phyllis Ayers says it is possible that they will get back to at least the 2007 level once the tax digest numbers come in.

"Yes, I think it's very feasible when we find out what the tax digest is and what our property tax revenue will be. Even if it is better or the tax digest is worse than what it is, but I still think it will be feasible for them (commissioners) to support the efforts of the Development Authority. We're looking at a hodgepodge of methods for getting through this next year, which could be a mixture of borrowing, using fund balance, and ultimately doing anything we can to support the community without raising the mileage rate," Ayers explained.

Yesterday, Griggs, along with authority president Bob Defenbaugh and various members of the authority, again pleaded their case to commissioners.

In his presentation, Griggs outlined the authority’s accomplishments over the past 18 months, including bringing some 900 new jobs to the county just this year alone.

"Just in the last couple of years, we've had over 900 jobs created in Stephens county," noted development authority director Mitch Griggs. "The development authority hasn't been involved in all of those. Some of it occurred through natural growth and the existing businesses we have here where those companies expanded of their own volition and the result of market opportunities. The ones where the development authority had a direct role in either facilitating or locating those projects here and actually that's over 700 jobs in the last few years," he said.

Two years ago, the county had a surplus of vacant office and metal buildings. Today, all of those buildings have been filled with new businesses and there’s a need for more new spec buildings.

The authority is now focusing on developing the Hayestone-Brady industrial park and has contracted with J.W. Rooker & Associates of Atlanta to build a series of metal office buildings there.

"Now we need to develop the Hayestone Brady Industrial Park and take advantage of the 400 acres we have out there to site new industrial prospects. Rooker & Associates is going to come in. We should be breaking ground the end of this month for the first spec building. They're putting up an 80,000 sq ft. building on the corner of Hayes rd. and sr17. We're seeing extremely positive feedback from all our development partners at the state and brokerage community. They're real excited to get that building up and on the market. We don't expect it to last long, Rooker doesn't expect it to last long. So we're excited about that," Griggs said.

Authority president Bob Defenbaugh outlined for the commission the improvements made to the development authority itself and the results of their hard work. He said now is the time to strike while the iron is hot.

"It’s no good to wait three more years, or two more years, or even six months," Defenbaugh commented. "We’ve got to drive through this window now. We all talk about the four-lane coming and all that stuff. We better be ready before any of that comes and while our economy is still in good shape," he said.

Ayers said she expects to put more money back into every county department’s budget once the new tax digest numbers are released and the development authority could even get what they asked for.

"I still think that might be a possibility based on what they presented to the commission. I do think that's still a possibility out there for them," she said.

The tax digest numbers are expected to come in sometime in July and the county expects to pass an amended budget then.

The U.S. senate has approved an $8-million dollar grant for Stephens County to expand and create a countywide sewer system.

At Monday’s city commission meeting, local engineer Buddy Lawson told the commission the move was the result of a lot of hard work on the part of the county, the city and the infrastructure committee. The request will now go before a joint conference committee, which will review all of the special interest requests and suggested appropriations.

Once thing on our side, according to Lawson is the fact that Senator Johnny Isakson sits on that committee.

"He is extremely supportive of what we're doing based on the plan that was given to him in his office a couple of months ago because he saw how, if we couldn't get the full $8-million the first year, it could be split up over several years and we could continue our phased plan right on schedule. So, it's real good, positive comments about all of that," Lawson noted.

If approved by the joint conference committee, the money will be included the federal government’s 2009 fiscal budget.

The city of Toccoa and the county must then come up with another $2-million dollars to pay for the entire $10-million dollar project, which includes expanding the Eastanollee wastewater treatment facility and extending sewer service into the Hayestone Brady Industrial Park.

MARTIN EXTENDS WATER LINE
May 23, 2007

The City of Martin is planning on extending a water line on Highway 328 to link up with the city of Lavonia’s water system.

Mayor Don Foster said that the city has extended some lines on Brookhaven Circle to help a homeowner and had support from the county. He hopes the same arrangements can be set up this time.

The line would not only help the two cities in case of an emergency, but the city of Martin is hoping to gain some more water customers in the process.

HOSPITAL SURVEY POSITIVE
May 23, 2007

Stephens County Hospital serves patients not only in Stephens County, but in numerous other Northeast Georgia counties. And hospital officials as well as the governmental official want to know just how the community feels about the treatment of patients in various segments of the hospital.

A recent hospital survey of the patients who have been treated in the hospital’s emergency room and who responded to a survey, have indicated they are pleased with the service they have received.

Hospital Administrator Ed Gambrell said that ER patients are some of the toughest to be satisfied since their situation is more tension-filled.

The hospital also had a survey taken by a company chosen by Medicare to check on patient satisfaction and received an overall score of 8.9 out of a possible 10.

The new cable barrier system in the median of interstate 85 in Franklin and Hart Counties is in place and has worked, stopping crossover crashes.

The woven cable system utilizes four horizontally tensioned cables supported with vertical steel posts in concrete foundations.

According to Teri Pope with the DOT, over the weekend of May 5th, there were four cashes along that stretch of interstate and in each case, the new cable barrier in the median stopped all vehicles involved from crossing the median and striking vehicles in the other direction.

Pope said three of those accidents happened during heavy rain on Saturday, May 5th and a fourth crash occurred on Sunday, the 6th. In addition, Pope said there was no damage to the cable barrier tensioning occurred as a result of the crashes. However, posts in the "hit" areas had to be replaced because those posts absorbed the impact of the crashes.

The cable system is designed for the posts to take the impact and be replaced.

The 23.65 mile long project has a completion date of December 31, 2007 and a cost of $5,378,898.50 but is essentially complete now, ahead of schedule. 

To date, Georgia DOT has installed some 70 miles of cable barrier along medians on Georgia interstates.

A brown haze from fires in south Georgia continues to hang over Stephens County and most of north Georgia today.

All this smoke could spell trouble for people with allergies and other health conditions.

Dr. David Westfall, North Health District Director, warns those with chronic respiratory illnesses to take preventative measures to protect against the smoke. Westfall recommends that persons with asthma and other chronic pulmonary diseases stay indoors with windows and doors shut. People are also advised to use the recycle or re-circulate mode on home and car air conditioners.

Additionally, the health department advises people to avoid vacuuming or any other activity that’s likely to increase particulates in the air, which could aggravate any kind of upper respiratory condition. Even strenuous exercise should be avoided until the smoke clears.

There are some ways that you can tell if the smoky air is affecting you.

They include:

• coughing • chest pain

• a scratchy throat • headaches

• irritated sinuses • stinging eyes

• shortness of breath • severe asthma

If you have any of these symptoms, you should seek medical attention.

SMOKE FROM SOUTH GEORGIA FIRES DRIFTS NORTH – AGAIN

May 22, 2007 

People with breathing problems or allergies will want to limit their activities and stay indoors for the next few days.  

Another layer of brown haze from fires in South Georgia has settled over Stephens County and most of Northeast Georgia, as well as parts of the Upstate, but this time, there’s no telling when it will go away. 

East-southeast winds have pushed the smoke northward into the upper third of Georgia and as far north as Clemson, Anderson, and Greenville. 

The smoke drifted in late this morning and the National Weather Service in Greenville expects it to linger for the next several days. 

“The opportunity for lingering smoke should remain in place over the next couple of days.  We will be remaining under the influence of high pressure along the east coast that will begin to slowly drift southward through the remainder of the week.  There’s really no organized weather system expected to move through anytime soon,” explained Blair Holloway with the National Weather Service in Greenville, SC. 

All morning, calls have been coming in to the Georgia Forestry Commission in Gainesville from people concerned about where the smoke is coming from. 

“I feel certain that what we’re seeing is drift smoke coming out of South Georgia, noted Ken Masten, District Forester for the Georgia Forestry Commission in Gainesville.  “We are getting reports from various areas and it is moving.  I know Union County was real hard hit.  I just had a call from Franklin County and they are thick.  In Gainesville this morning when I got in to work, it was thick here.  It’s improved but it’s kind of coming and going,” he explained. 

This is the second time, smoke from forest fires in other parts of the state have affected our breathing air. 

Two weeks ago, smoke from two fires in Northwest Georgia drifted into Northeast Georgia and parts of the Upstate, but was quickly washed away by heavy rainfall. 

Breathing the bad air is not the only problem concerning officials.  According to Masten, drift smoke like this can also be a problem for local fire fighters. 

“One concern we do have when you get this much smoke is that it can mask local fires.  Unless someone sees flame activity or just extremely concentrated smoke, I feel pretty sure there isn’t a problem,” Masten said.  

The forecast calls for only about a 30% chance of some scattered rain showers Wednesday afternoon for Northeast Georgia and the Upstate, but winds will continue to remain east southeast until at least Thursday.

COUNTY TO MEET WITH CORRECTIONS REPRESENTATIVE

May 22, 2007 

County commissioners expect to meet Wednesday with a representative from the Georgia Department of Corrections regarding help building the new jail. That, over the objections of Peter Brown Construction, Inc., the company contracted for the project.  

On Monday, State Representative Jeanette Jamieson addressed commissioners regarding her idea to employ prison work crews in attempt to save the County some three million dollars.

Commissioners like the idea, but on Saturday, County Administrator Darrell Hampton hand-delivered a letter to Jamieson at her home from Peter Brown.  In the letter, executive vice president John Stewart said they have had bad experiences with prison crews in the past, but Jamieson disagreed with their assessment. 

“I would tell you that according to what the Department of Corrections told me, this particular contractor and some of the problems he says he’s incurred in the past had nothing to do with the Georgia Department of Corrections labor unit,” noted Jamieson.  “It had to do with Florida and one other state, but not Georgia.  Georgia’s labor units are craftsmen.  They just finished a 120-bed jail in Wayne County, they have assisted in building hospitals and they are in the process now of building two state prisons.  While that might appear to be a secured environment, there are general contractors on those jobs also,” she concluded.  

Another concern by Stewart is security on the job site.  Stewart claims the county would have to pay for extra security, but again Jamieson that is not necessarily true. 

“If security was a problem, they would not be out there doing this work.  The Department of Corrections provides their own construction superintendent.  They provide all of their own equipment.  The only thing they would require from us would be temporary power for their construction trailer, porta-potties, and telephone service,” Jamieson explained. 

Right now, the county must come up with another $4 million dollars over and above SPLOST IV funds to pay for the jail.  Jamieson contends the county could save as much as $3.5 million if inmate labor were used.  Commission chair Ken Peeples noted the contract with Peter Brown Construction is fluid.  

“I still contend that this Commission has the authority to deal with the contract as they see fit,” Peeples said.  “I personally thank you and applaud you for putting forth the effort to help this county accomplish their goals.  I personally believe this is a very viable option that you have presented to us,” he concluded.  

Commissioners plan to meet with the Department of Corrections representative Wednesday at 10 a.m. in the Courthouse Annex.  A representative from Peter Brown is also expected to be there.      

STEPHENS COUNTY MAN HONORED BY STATE FOR HEROISM

May 22, 2007 

A Stephens County man is being honored for heroism by the Georgia Department of Transportation.  Kevin Phillips, a DOT employee, was honored during their Employee Recognition Week for helping a woman after a bad accident in Carnesville. 

Phillips, who lives in Toccoa, was on his way to work down Highway 320 last year when he saw a vehicle lose control and go off the road. 

“Her vehicle slipped, tumbled down an embankment and into the woods,” explained GDOT Communications Director Teri Pope.  “Kevin pulled his vehicle over and ran to assist the lady.  He was able to call 911.  He helped her get out of the vehicle and ensure she was safe until emergency responders got to the scene.  She was quite upset and almost hysterical, as you might imagine.  So, she was very thankful that Kevin stopped to assist her and help her even though he didn’t know her at all,” Pope said.  

DOT District Engineer Russell McMurray honored Phillips with a special certificate.  

“Kevin Phillips is an asset to DOT and to the Citizens of Georgia.  Not many people would stop and run down an embankment to rescue someone.  We are proud that Kevin Phillips did just that.  We congratulate Kevin for his can do caring attitude and professionalism,” McMurray said.  

Phillips is a 14-year veteran of the Georgia Department of Transportation and was recently promoted to the position of Construction Project Manager.  He and his wife Shelia have three children and attend Straightway Baptist Church. 

KAYAKERS, HIKERS RESCUED IN OCONEE COUNTY, SC MONDAY

May 22, 2007 

This weekend’s beautiful weather brought the adventurers outdoors and left some people up the river – literally.  In Oconee County, SC a party of kayakers, which included a 19-month old child, were found safe Monday after they failed to come in off the Chattooga River Sunday night.  

Rescuers from Georgia and the Oconee County Emergency Management Agency got a call about 2 a.m. Monday morning that the group had not returned.  Oconee EMA director Rodney Burdette says search teams set out early Monday morning to look for them.  

“As they went into search they met them hiking their way out.  They had put in kind of late and run into darkness.  So in the best-case scenario for them, they were able to build a campfire and stay warm for the night.  It was really cold up on the river,” Burdette said.  

The kayakers names have not been released, but all were checked out by the medical team and determined to be ok.   

Meantime, a North Carolina man also set out on a nature hike from Transylvania County and found himself lost in the Nantahala National Forest near Lake Jocassee. 

“They had wound up above Jocassee.  They were fortunate that they had their cell phones.  They hit a tower and were able to get out on their cell phones.  They did not know where they were.  And we were able to get a boat on the water and get up to the upper end of Jocassee where we found them at the lake,” he said.  

The unidentified hiker was found safe late Sunday afternoon and was brought out by Oconee County EMA rescuers. 

COUNTY DISCUSSES SPLOST V PROJECTS

May 22, 2007 

County commissioners revealed some of their ideas Monday for projects for a possible SPLOST V. 

Commission chair Ken Peeples said road improvement projects should be at the top of the list. 

“I would also like to see a portion of this SPLOST fund go to road programs here in the county.  I think all it takes is to ride the county and see the condition some of our roads and streets are in.  Apparently, we’re going to have to depend less and less on the Georgia Department of Transportation for funding on our roads,” Peeples said. 

Commissioner Rex Anderson cited the need to improve and expand the County Volunteer Fire Department services as well as the City Fire Department.  Anderson also suggested expanding the County Recreation Department to include an aquatic center similar to what Habersham County has.  

“With gas prices getting higher, people are going to be staying closer to home and I feel like they’ll be taking and being more active in local activities than in the past.  I think all of it plays into the picture.  So anything we can do to improve our complex out there is something to be desired,” commented Anderson.  

Commissioner Harold Andrews said he would like to see money set aside for improvements to the County’s infrastructure. 

All three commissioners said SPLOST V projects should focus on expanding the economy and should prepare for future growth.  Commissioners will meet next Tuesday, May 29^th with cities and departments to further discuss SPLOST V projects.  The County hopes to have a list in place by mid July to submit to the state in order to hold a special election in September.

HOSPITAL RENOVATIONS NEARING END

May 22, 2007

The first phase of the Stephens County Hospital renovations is scheduled to be completed at the end of August.  Hospital Administrator Ed Gambrell explained that the project was pretty complicated to begin with and has to be done in three phases. 

‘The first phase comprises of some of the rooms on the first floor and some of the ones on the third floor.” Gambrell explained. “ They are on the far eastern side of the building. Those rooms should be renovated by the end of August. Then , they will jump into phase two which is basically the older patient rooms on the front half of the hospital on floors two and three. And when that’s completed they will go to phase three which is the back patient rooms on floors two and three. The entire project should be completed in about a year. It’s a time consuming process and it takes longer because we do need to divide it into three phases so we can stay open.”  

Gambrell said one of the biggest headaches during this first phase was the closing of the hospital’s cafeteria, which, thankfully, is now back open. 

“Boy, are we glad to have it opened. It re-opened on May 8^th and we were actually closed for two months rather than the two weeks we expected it to be. The people in dietary did a great job. They worked out of the Clary Center kitchen. And then transported the food over to the hospital from the Clary Center and they just did a wonderful job.”  

It was reported that the screened porch at the Clary Center, also under construction, was coming along slowly and should be finished shortly. 

MARTIN TO AWARD GARBAGE CONTRACT

May 22, 2007 

The City of Martin will be notifying one of the potential contractors for trash pick-up in the city.  The current contract with Northeast Georgia Waste Management will expire at the end of June. 

Mayor Don Foster said that two vendors, Michael Harden with Waste Authority and Brian McCrea of Franklin County Sanitation both made very good presentations before the council Monday night.

“We has two proposals tonight for the garbage pick-up in Martin.” Foster said. “We also help Avalon with their systems. We had two gentleman who came down and represented their companies very well. We had the opportunity for the council to ask them questions and we’re working on a contract at this time.” 

The council did not publicly announce the low bidder at the meeting. The winner of the contract will be notified by mail within the next week. 

In other business Monday, the City of Martin gave it’s old antique 1970’s fire truck, which was not useable in fighting fires, to former Mayor Tom Williams. Williams will use the truck to lead the parade in the May 26^th  Tractor Show in Martin. 

Mayor Foster said that the council was glad to give the truck to Williams, who in turned was “tickled pink” to get it. 

“The Martin Baptist Church is going to have a Tractor Show this coming Saturday. Tom will be the lead truck in the parade. Tommy was very instrumental in helping the town of Martin with their fire department when we first bought that truck. And so it worked out real fine that we were able to give him that truck.”

The tractor show will be held across the road from the Martin Baptist Church on Red Hollow Rd this coming Saturday.

TOCCOA CONSIDERS LEASING ALEWINE PARK

May 21, 2007

The City of Toccoa is considering leasing out Alewine Park.  City manager Billy Morse says one group has already approached him about the idea.  

“The North Georgia Soccer Association has shown an interest in the park. They’ve been looking at it for several years and now it fits into their program better. They’re very interested in talking with the commission about future utilization of Alewine Park,” Morse explained.  

But they might not be the only group interested in leasing the park.  At tonight’s city commission meeting, commissioners will review a request for proposals that will go out to anyone who might be interested.  Morse said, unlike the Pines Golf Course, the decision to lease Alewine has nothing to do with its financial status or whether the City is able to maintain the park.  

“It has not been a problem in operating that park, but we just don’t use it,” Morse noted. “The City does not have a recreation program and so it’s just under utilized. The Little League folks used it at one time for some practice this year, but other than that, it’s just unused and it’s a shame because it’s a nice facility and we’d like to see somebody make use of it,” he concluded.  

Also on tonight’s agenda, discussion on leasing out the Pines Golf Course.  Last week, commissioners voted to keep Stephens County’s only public course open, but it still promises to be a drain on the City’s budget.  Morse expects the course to lose about $50,000 next year if the City continues to run it.  

Additionally, a second public hearing of the FY08 budget will held tonight. Tonight’s meeting begins at 5 p.m. in city hall.

COMMISSIONERS TO HEAR FROM REP. JEANETTE JAMIESON

May 21, 2007 

It’s a busy morning for county commissioners.  First they will meet with members of Georgia Power and the Development Authority for a breakfast meeting at Shirley's Sole Food to discuss ongoing economic development efforts.  

Then at 9:30 this morning they will meet at the Courthouse Annex to hear from State Representative Jeanette Jamieson regarding her idea to fund the jail construction using department of corrections work crews – a savings she said would be at least $3-million dollars. 

Commissioners will then begin work on a SPLOST V timeline.  County administrator Darrell Hampton says they hope to have a referendum ready for the September Special Election. 

On Friday, the County forwarded letters to the cities of Martin, Avalon, and Toccoa requesting a meeting on the 29^th.  Hampton said he has not heard from any citizen or group regarding any project requests either. 

The county has until mid-July to pass a resolution calling for a SPLOST vote, the amount of revenue to be raised, and what projects will be included in the SPLOST V. 

POSTAL FOOD DRIVE A SUCCESS

May 21, 2007 

Last weekend’s postal worker food drive was another big success.  Each year, the Toccoa Post Office has participates in the National Association of Letter Carriers’ Food Drive. 

This year, they collected almost 6,000 lbs of food from Toccoa-Stephens County residents and coordinator Ronnie Crunkleton thanked those who helped deliver the collected food. 

“We want to thank some folks, including Mr. Charlie Jordan, Mr. Harry Hemerit for the use of the truck and the driver to help us haul the food back and forth to the Food Bank. Our clerks, our rural carriers, our folks in Eastanollee and Martin picked up some food. We just to thank everybody who helps us with this,” Crunkleton explained.  

The weekend of the 12^th was a busy one in Stephens County with a number of local and sports events taking place.  Still, people found time to leave  a bag of canned goods at their mailboxes on Saturday. 

“We appreciate everybody who gives us the food. The Food Bank is generally down this time of year and we restock them and help them get going for the summer programs,” he said.  

This was the 14^th year the Toccoa-Stephens County Post Offices participated in the Letter Carrier Food Drive.  

HOSPICE CALLS FOR MORE VOLUNTEERS

May 21, 2007 

Hospice of Northeast Georgia Medical Center (HNGMC) is looking for new volunteers to serve the northeast Georgia area.  Volunteers are needed in Stephens, Banks, Barrow, Dawson, Forsyth, Franklin,  Habersham, Hall, Jackson, Lumpkin,  Union and White counties. 

HNGMC is a program designed to care for terminally ill patients within their homes. Volunteers are needed to provide assistance for patients and their families as well as assist hospice staff in the office.   

Activities might include providing relief for caregivers; sitting with hospice patients and providing companionship; and assisting patients with general household and personal activities including letter writing and hobbies. 

Orientation and training sessions for new volunteers are currently scheduled for the week of June 25 and will be held on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday of that week from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.   

All training sessions are held at the hospice of HNGMC office, located in Gainesville on Limestone Parkway. Call Carol Jewell, volunteer coordinator, at 770-533-8888 for more information. 

POLICE BLOTTER

May 21, 2007 

• A Toccoa man is charged with drug possession after a routine traffic stop. Toccoa police pulled the Mercury Sable over on Highway 123 near the Family Pride Car Wash for safety belt violation. Rodriquez McGee of McLane Road in Toccoa was charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and obstruction of an officer.  The passenger of the vehicle also ran away and police are looking for him.
• A homeowner on Holcomb Road in Martin told sheriff’s deputies he came home from work to find someone had cut the wires off his air conditioner and heat pump and stolen the unit. It has a value of $1,700.
• A man on Owl Swamp Road told deputies someone stole three of his Husky puppies from his yard.  The dogs are red and white in color and all are about 4 and half months old.  He has no idea who might have taken his puppies.
• Lavonia investigators have made two more arrests in connection with a shoplifting case at Brenda's Outlet. It happened May 4^th.  Police chief Randy Shirley said arrested last week was 18-year old Nicole Leigh Alewine of Lavonia and 18-year old Monique Renee Jeanette also of Lavonia. A third woman was arrested earlier.  She is 44-year old Sonya Annette Bennett of Lavonia. All are charged with one count each of shoplifting.  
• Lavonia police have arrested a Hartwell woman on numerous forgery charges. Police chief Randy Shirley says 33-year old Danielle Feaster forged several checks in the amount of $50 at Lavonia Foods in April. In March, Shirley says Feaster also forged at least two checks at Pinnacle Bank.  All four checks were counterfeit. Feaster is charged with four counts of felony forgery and remains in the Franklin County jail.

JAMIESON OFFERS COUNTY WAY TO CUT JAIL PRICE TAG

May 18, 2007

State Representative Jeanette Jamieson will meet Monday with Stephens County commissioners to offer a way to cut some $3-million out of the $11.5 million jail price tag. 

"A few days ago I contacted the County commission and reminded them that the State has, through the Department of Corrections, some 30 work crews made up of craftsmen that do electrical and plumbing, dry wall, erect metal buildings, you name it, they do it," Jamieson explained.  "It’s being done all over the state.  They're building two of their own state prisons now.  They just finished building a county jail in Wayne County.  I told the county commission that I'd be glad to meet with the Department of Corrections to make one of these crews available to work on our new jail," she said.  

Jamieson said all three commissioners told her to pursue the matter. This week, she met with a representative from the State Department of Corrections and was told construction crews could be provided with no problem. 

"There would be a crew available when we needed them, the requirements from our county are minimal; just temporary power and facilities.  They have their own construction crew; they have all of their own tools and construction trailer.  They come with a construction supervisor.  They're being used all over the state and my thought was, 'why not use them here?'“  Jamieson said.

Using the state crews would save the County from having to gut the fund balance to pay the difference between the jail cost and what’s been collected in SPLOST IV.

It would also allow the County to put the jail administrative offices back with the new jail instead of at the old hospital as was discussed by commissioners this week as a cost-saving measure. Jamieson also contends that with the $3 million saving, the County could pass a FY08 budget that not only includes employee raises, but also puts money back in the Development Authority budget that the commission had cut out.  

"We stand on the verge of having a developer come into Hayestone-Brady Industrial Park to start building spec buildings.  This particular developer has a reputation nationwide for filling these buildings with an industry within about six months of completion.  We cannot cut the funds for the Development Authority.  We will be the laughing stock of the entire state.  With a four-lane road coming north from 17, with a contract just let on the Bypass and we cut our budget for the Development Authority?  That's a no brainer," Jamieson concluded.  

Jamieson was to have met with the commission in a called session Thursday morning, but that meeting was cancelled because County Administrator Darrell Hampton said the media had not been given enough notice.  Monday’s meeting will take place at 9:30 a.m. in the Courthouse Annex.

HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION TONIGHT

May 18, 2007

The Stephens County High School football stadium on White Pines Road will be the scene tonight of Pomp and Circumstance as approximately 230 seniors from the Class of 2007 receive their diplomas.  Graduation exercises will start at 8 p.m. this evening.  High School principal George Sanders says this is a special night in the lives of these young people. 

“What we like to do is recognize the fact that our students are graduating from Stephens County High School, but they are also graduating from Stephens County Schools.” Sanders said. “ We’ve invited all of the elementary school principals the middle school principals that have been in these kids lives whenever they went through. That would be Mr. Stowe, it will be Jimmy Howard,  Brenda Kelley, Stan McFarland and James Payne. They will be ready to shake hands and we’ll have the board of education members also on hand to be a part of the receiving line. We’ll make it a celebration of finishing Stephens County Schools, not just Stephens County High School.” 

Lifelong friends and co-workers, George Sanders and Assistant Principal Buzz Statham both retire at the end of June. Sanders said this is the right time for both of them. 

“Well, it’s time. We really have had a great time It’s been a good run. We have several great teachers who are retiring at this time. But Buzz and I have been there a while. We’ve been together almost like brothers. We grew up together, we went to school together , so it’s a special time for us to go.” 

AM 630 WNEG salutes the graduates of 2007. Be sure to join us Saturday evening at 6:05 p.m. and Sunday evening at 7:05 p.m. for the Stephens County High School Graduation 2007  ceremony. 

FUNERAL SERVICES FOR CHUCK GAINES ANNOUNCED

May 18, 2007

Funeral services for Chuck Gaines, co-founder of WNEG Radio, will be held Sunday in Thomasville, NC. The Service of Tribute will held at 2 p.m. at Fair Grove United Methodist Church in Thomasville.  Graveside Rites will be provided by the Randolph County Honor Guard in the church cemetery.  The family will receive friends on Saturday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at J.C. Green and Sons Funeral Home in Thomasville.  Online condolences may be made at, www.jcgreenandsons.com. 

Memorials may be made to either the Disabled Veterans Fund, Veterans Administration Hospital or to the High Point Community Foundation CNA Scholarship Fund, 101 S. Main St. High Point, NC 27260.

Chuck Gaines, the brother of Roy Gaines and uncle of WNEG Operations Manager, Connie Gaines, passed away Thursday morning at his home in Thomasville, NC after a lengthy illness. He was 85.

Born in Hartwell, GA, Chuck and Roy Gaines grew up on a farm in Franklin County. Both went into the service in World War II and came to Toccoa after the war.

The pair worked for the R.G. Letourneau radio station, WRLC, for eight years and then in 1956, founded WNEG Radio. Chuck Gaines worked at WNEG until 1971 when he then moved to Hendersonville, NC and became the morning personality for WHKP.

While in Toccoa, Chuck served as a county commissioner from 1967 - 1970. He was also active in the community as a member of the Elks Club, past president and active member of the Toccoa Lions Club, and member and past commander of the Toccoa VFW Post 4346.   He was also an active member of First United Methodist Church in Toccoa.

Chuck Gaines served in the U.S. Air Force in WWII and the Korean War, flying 28 missions in Korea as a First Lieutenant. He flew 28 missions in a B-29 as a radar navigator bombardier.

ABSENTEE VOTING AVAILABLE IN REGISTRAR’S OFFICE

May 18, 2007 

The special election for the 10^th Congressional race is just a month away and County Registrar Theresa Kelly says voting machines are now set up in her office for anyone wanting to vote absentee.  Paper absentee ballots went out in the mail last week to anyone who wanted them. 

In addition, if you have not yet registered to vote or you are not sure you’re on the voting rolls, you have until Monday to register in order to vote in the June election.  Kelly told WNEG recently that almost a thousand names had been removed from the Stephens County voter rolls because of inactivity.

Anyone has not voted in the last two general elections should check with Kelly to make sure they are still registered.

REGISTRAR URGES COUNTY TO VOTE "NO" ON HOLT BILL

May 18, 2007 

County Registrar Theresa Kelly is urging the county to send letters to Capitol Hill opposing a House bill that would eliminate computer voting machines and return the country to paper ballots.  Kelly came before commissioners this week urging them to sign a letter of protest to U.S. HR811 called the “Holt Bill.”  

"Mr. Holt wants to take away the electronic voting equipment, doing away with it completely and go to paper ballots, Kelly told the Commission Tuesday night. “  He wants to take us back 50 years and we've come a long way since then.  He wants to use optical scans, which would cost the county money because this is an unfunded mandate," she said.  

Another problem with the Holt bill, according to Kelly is that it would require the county to hire an outside auditor to manually count all the ballots at a cost of about $150,000.  In a General Election, that could take hours, according to Kelly.  

There is a large grassroots movement to outlaw computerized voting in favor of paper ballots.  The reasoning is computer votes can be tampered with more easily than handwritten ballots.  Kelly is against the idea because it would cost the county time and money to revert to an all paper system. Commissioners agreed and voted to send the letters.

SENECA CHURCH OFFERS FREE FOOD

May 18, 2007 

A Seneca, South Carolina church is giving away free food at their Sunday evening services. Seneca’s First Church of the Nazarene is offering the free bags of groceries as part of their Sunday evening service.

It’s called the “Love and Hope Ministry” and according to coordinator Jimmy Watt, the church has been doing the food giveaway for about a year. 

"We got the idea from a gentlemen who attended our church at one time and whose church in Florida did this," Watt explained.  "They had a tremendous amount of success reaching out into the community and reaching out to those individuals who are in need.  Certainly, there is a tremendous need out there.  A lot of food banks and ministries are having a difficult time keeping up with demand.  What we're hoping to do is certainly share the Christian message of Jesus Christ, but also to help people take care of their physical needs," he said.  

There is no prior requirement for receiving the free food other than to attend their evening service.  The bags of food contain items ranging from canned vegetables to soup to fruit cocktail to Jell-O.   

They also include items that folks can use to make up to two meals a week, such as spaghetti and spaghetti sauce.  Other items in the bags include ready made dinners, beef stew, corn meal mix, stuffing and vanilla wafers.                                                            

Members of Seneca church of the Nazarene support the ministry financially, and the church purchases all food that is given out to people who attend the church.  First Nazarene Church of Seneca is located on Bountyland Road in Seneca.

POLICE BLOTTER

May 18, 2007  

• A Toccoa man is charged with drug possession after a routine traffic stop.  Toccoa police pulled the Mercury Sable over on Highway 123 near the Family Pride Car Wash for safety belt violation.  

A passenger in the vehicle allegedly gave the officer false information.  When the driver was asked to get out of the vehicle, he ran and was later caught and arrested.  Inside the man’s pants pockets, officers say they found a large amount of crack cocaine.  

Rodriquez McGee of McLane Road in Toccoa was charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine and obstruction of an officer. The passenger of the vehicle fled and police are looking for him.  

• A homeowner on Holcomb Road in Martin told Sheriff’s deputies he came home from work to find someone had cut the wires off his air conditioner and heat pump and stolen the unit.  It has a value of $1,700.

• A man on Owl Swamp Road told deputies someone stole three of his Husky puppies from his yard.  The dogs are red and white in color and all are about 4 and half months old.  He has no idea who might have taken his puppies.

CO-FOUNDER OF WNEG RADIO DIES
May 17, 2007

One of the founders of WNEG Radio has died.

Chuck Gaines, the brother of Roy Gaines and uncle of Connie Gaines, passed away this morning at his home in Thomasville, NC after a lengthy illness. He was 85.

Born in Hartwell, GA, Chuck and Roy Gaines grew up on a farm in Franklin County. Both went into the service in World War II and came to Toccoa after the war.

The pair worked for the R.J. Letourneau radio station, WRLC, for eight years and then in 1956, founded WNEG Radio.

Chuck Gaines worked at WNEG until 1971 when he then moved to Hendersonville, NC and became the morning personality for WHKP.

While in Toccoa, Chuck served as a county commissioner. He was also active in the community as a member of the Elks Club and at one-time, served as commander of the Toccoa VFW Post 4346. Chuck was a past president and active member of the Toccoa Lions Club. He was also an active member of First United Methodist Church in Toccoa.

Chuck Gaines served in the U.S. Air Force in WWII and the Korean War, flying 28 missions in Korea as a First Lieutenant. He flew 28 missions in a B-29 as a radar navigator bombardier.

Funeral services will be held in Thomasville, NC and will be announced at a later date.

PATTERSON PUMP, GEM INDUSTRIES ANNOUNCE EXPANSIONS
May 17, 2007

Stephens County, Patterson Pump and GEM Southeast, Inc. are expanding.

Patterson Pump’s expansion involved building a new 30,000 square foot facility, and has hired another 31 people.

President Al Huber said the Toccoa facility had an opportunity to integrate a process that had previously been outsourced. The new production facility could have gone to one of Patterson’s other facilities, but Stephens County Development Authority director Mitch Griggs said they were able to convince them to bring it here.

"That project was a little different. We had to find some ways to be real creative. It was a process that they wanted to bring in-house. Fortunately, we were able to work with their management team to structure a package that allowed that to come here. So, we're delighted to have that additional manufacturing here in this community," Griggs said.

Gem Southeast has expanded their plastics division in the Meadowbrook Industrial Park. Established in 2005 as a plastic sheet extruding operation, Gem Southeast has doubled the size of its current facility to 40,000 square feet and added 15 new jobs.

"The Gem expansion was part of a planned expansion. When they did the plastics facility back in 2005, they had intentions to expand that facility. Once again, they put together a management team out there that really had them taking off and the product line is going really well. So they were able to do the expansion earlier than they anticipated doing," noted Griggs.

A subsidiary of ITR Industries, Inc. Gem Southeast has been in Stephens County for some thirty years with a plant on Highway 123. Two years ago, they added the Meadowbrook plant and last year, ITR placed their Global Partitions facility on Highway 145.

SEARCH FOR MORE REMAINS IN CARNESVILLE CALLED OFF
May 17, 2007

The search for more remains in a creek off Highway 320 in Carnesville has been called off. Forensic anthropologist for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Dr. Rick Snow, said they have gone as far as they can go in their search at this time.

"They did get some evidence and they’re going to take it back to the crime lab," noted Franklin County Sheriff Steve Thomas. "Dr. Snow is going to look at it to see what he can find with the evidence that he has. There may be a possibility that they can do an identification. I know they did get some good evidence and some remains that could help him out a lot," he said.

Franklin County public works crews spent a day and half draining the creek off Akin Road. Wednesday morning, GBI agents and public works workers waded in waist-deep mud combing through it with metal rakes to try and find more bones belonging to a woman whose partial remains were discovered Sunday.

But by early afternoon, Dr. Snow made the decision to discontinue the search. Snow said conditions in the muddy creek and the surrounding terrain made it practically impossible to find anything more.

He said with the remains he has now, he can only make a generalized identification, unless someone comes forward with information that would tie the remains to a specific person. He is hoping the GBI will be able to come back in the fall or winter when there is less vegetation and continue the search.

Meantime, Sheriff Thomas says his office is still running down missing person’s leads.

"On Tuesday, we ran down nine missing person incident reports and six out of that nine we have confirmed that they are alive. Three of them we have not confirmed yet. We are still doing a search on some people who filed reports to see if those people know where those people are. So we’re running them down now," Thomas said.

GBI Special Investigator in Charge John Heinen said his office has also received numerous missing person calls from law enforcement agencies around Georgia, and they do hope that one day the remains will be identified.

HIGH SPEED CHASE ENDS IN JACKSON COUNTY
May 17, 2007

An Atlanta man is in the Franklin County Jail following a high speed chase Wednesday night which started in South Carolina and ended in Jackson County.

According to reports, the Toccoa Post received a call from the South Carolina Highway Patrol regarding a speeding gold Buick SUV, traveling southbound on I-85.The Toccoa Post alerted surrounding law enforcement as the vehicle continued it’s travels down the Interstate in Franklin County and Hart County, then exiting the Interstate on Georgia 51 in Banks County.

The incident ended when a trooper from the Athens Post #32 performed a spin maneuver on the vehicle that ended with the SUV spinning around on US 441 in Jackson County.

The suspect was taken into custody and was identified as 24 year old Darrell Zachary Tatum of Atlanta.

Deputy Jimmy LeCroy of the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office told WNEG News that Tatum is charged with fleeing and attempting to elude, speeding and aggravated assault with a motor vehicle.

No-one was injured in the incident.

Tatum is expected to have a bond hearing in Franklin County today.

HIGH SCHOOL BAND, BOOSTERS HOLD AWARDS BANQUET
May 17, 2007

The Stephens County High School Band and Auxiliary held their annual banquet Tuesday night in the cafeteria of Stephens County Middle School. In addition to the pins, all of the members received pins for their participation; seniors received plaques in appreciation of their hard work and talent.

Band director Scott Wilcher said it was night to especially honor the senior band members.

"They have been a tremendous group of young people. There are over 40 of them and we are going to miss them as they go on in life. They have just been one heck of a class. They have been with me probably since sixth grade, and with Stephanie at the Middle School. They are going to be missed. They're a great group," he said.

"I'm losing ten young ladies this year. We have got ten coming in to take their place next year. It is a tough night. I hate to say good bye to them, but it was a great night," Band Auxiliary director Tamera Cash said.

Some of the awards presented Tuesday night include the most outstanding auxiliary member, which was presented to Rebecca Howell, Emily Escoe, and Katie Hogan. Mary Katherine Conway, Jessica Young, and Blair Alexander received the Best All-around Auxiliary Member award.

Alex Kerr, Benji Stegner, Michael Stanley, Christopher Todd, Anthony Haddock, and Kase Jameson received the award for Most Outstanding Band Members. And Grant Watson, Joseph Holmes and Mary Katherine Conway received the Best All-around Band Member award.

The Marching Band and Auxiliary gained a "Superior" rating at the Marching Band Festival in the fall. And the Concert Band also rated well at the Concert Band Festival in Towns County this spring.

ROTC PROGRAM UNDER CONSIDERATION
May 17, 2007

The Stephens County Board of education will be considering whether to add a Jr. ROTC Program to the curriculum of Stephens County High School.

Four years ago, the system attempted to get a program formed, but the military was not expanding any programs at that time.

School Superintendent Gary Steppe said that there is another method in which an ROTC Program could be formed…

"The Army is the only branch of the military that has a Cadet Corps." Steppe explained. "You can actually start up a Cadet Corp. The only difference in the Cadet Corp is that you don’t get any government funding. You have to start it on your own. When you start it and it’s a good program, successful and meets their criteria, when an ROTC program becomes available, you get to move up to the head of the list. It really increases your opportunity to get that.

Cezzane Grayson did our application and got it approved. We just received notice today that it did get an approval. It’s a budget item now and we’ll just see if we can get the money for it, but we think it would be a good thing for the system."

White County’s school system just formed an ROTC program last year and officials say that it has installed pride in the members of the corps. Many of the school systems in the state who have ROTC programs have seen discipline problems decrease and student morale increase.

The program would initially cost between $80,000 and $120,000 for the corps, which would consist of about 100 students plus officer instructors.

Once the program is established for a year, the Army would pay half of the cost.

SEARCH FOR E-911 DIRECTOR BOGGED DOWN
May 17, 2007

The search for a new e-911 Communications Director continues slowly. The position has been vacant since former e-911 director Paige Worley resigned last December.

Commissioners have received a number of applications, but have not scheduled any interviews. According to County Administrator Darrell Hampton, it is because they are waiting for help from two sources.

Commissioners have requested former Habersham County e-911 Communications Director Barry Church, who was contracted to review the e-911 department, to help with the interview process. They will also be working with a woman from the Alpharetta police department who is an e-911 certification specialist, according to Hampton.

"What we're looking for is two things. One we want them to review the job descriptions and give us an opinion as to the qualifications of each of the applicants so we can help the commissioners select whom they wish to interview. Then, to participate and sit in on the interview process and give some qualified opinions based on responses to the interviews," Hampton said.

Hampton did not give any timetable as to when those interviews would begin nor when they hope to have a new director in place.

COUNTY DISMISSES CLERK
May 17, 2007

Stephens County is without a clerk. Last week, County Administrator Darrell Hampton dismissed Donna Patterson as the clerk effective May 10^th.

Patterson had been clerk for 14 months after the retirement of former clerk Nancy Downs. Before coming to Stephens County, Patterson had worked for some 25 years as a clerk for the City of Duluth in Gwinnett County.

An interim clerk has been appointed. Hampton said the County will begin the search for a new clerk next week.

STATEWIDE FIRES AFFECTING TOCCOA-STEPHENS COUNTY
May 16, 2007

Toccoa-Stephens County residents are dealing with smoke from two separate forest fires today, but none of them are nearby. A thick layer of brown smoke has settled on the area brought here from forest fires across Georgia.

According to Georgia Forestry Commission spokesman Ken Masten, upper level transport winds have pushed the smoke this way.